Mansfield need 500-1000 more fans to break even, according to the incoming Chief Executive.
Stephen Booth's initial examination of the club's finances show it needs substantial work on the Commercial arm, with gate receipts also needing a substantial boost: "In an ideal world we would like to add 1,000 to the home gate, that would be amazing to achieve" he told The Chad: "but if the commercial side starts to achieve its potential then I believe that an additional 500 fans would be close to steadying the ship.
"Really the two have to go hand in hand and I would like to think that the fans and sponsors can help us — as fans did with their sponsorship of the training facilities. For instance, we need £20,000 to invest now to sort out the well documented problems with the turnstile, as well as some seating in the West Stand. That is £20,000 the club does not have at the moment."
Needing the income of 1000 supporters to 'steady the ship' suggests that the club is losing over £5,000 a week on their current gates, and the proposed supporters boycott will only increase the losses.
Booth has a brief to overhaul the business and find a seller, but the only solid bidder has told the paper that they will not be increasing their offer. Major backer John Thorpe said: "When you deduct the FA Cup run, the home games throughout December, the Christmas merchandising, together with the fact that we have less time to implement our Business Plan and the expense of the close season looming ever nearer, we would not replicate the offer at this stage - never mind increase it."